Erling Haaland has sent a firm warning to Manchester United, speaking during Manchester City's welcome event for their new summer signings on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester City's marquee summer transfer was joined outside the Etihad Stadium by his fellow arrivals.
Goalkeeper recruit Stefan Ortega Moreno and Argentine striking sensation Julian Alvarez greeted supporters in the Manchester sunshine outside the Etihad Stadium.
Kalvin Phillips missed the event due to illness, but sent his best wishes to the supporters who had turned out in their thousands to get a glimpse of their new stars.
However, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it was a moment from Erling Haaland that stole the show.
Advert
The Norwegian international striker sent a strong warning to Manchester United and their fans ahead of the new season.
Haaland boldly claimed that Manchester City's bitter rivals were the opponents he is most looking forward to ahead of the new campaign, while also saying that he doesn't even like saying their name.
Haaland said, "I have to say... I don't like to say the words but Manchester United."
Erling Haaland will be getting his preparations for the new season underway on Monday.
Advert
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players will be reporting for the start of pre-season this coming week, before jetting off for their tour of the United States later in the month.
Manchester City have two fixtures scheduled, before returning to England.
Over in the USA, City are scheduled to take on Club America and Bayern Munich - with the latter certainly a familiar opponent to Erling Haaland and Stefan Ortega from their time in the Bundesliga.
Manchester City's first competitive fixture takes place at the end of July, when they face Liverpool in the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season.
Advert
The two Premier League giants will go head-to-head in the Community Shield, which is scheduled for the King Power Stadium this season.
That will be the club's final warm-up game as such, before they face West Ham United at the London Stadium on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Topics: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Football
Freddie Pye